May 24, 2023

Australia and India Forge Mobility Deal to Boost Educational and Professional Exchanges

A Australia and India have agreed on a significant mobility deal aimed at fostering educational and professional exchanges between the two nations. The partnership seeks to facilitate the movement of students, researchers, and skilled professionals, while also addressing irregular migration and people smuggling.

The Australia-India Migration and Mobility Partnership Arrangement was announced during Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Sydney, where he met with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. The deal was warmly received by universities in Australia, who believe it will strengthen the bilateral relationship and bring economic benefits.

The partnership focuses on promoting two-way mobility, encompassing students, graduates, academic researchers, and businesspeople. It also emphasizes cooperation to prevent irregular migration and combat people smuggling, ensuring the integrity of the mobility arrangements. A specific Mobility Arrangement for Talented Early Professionals Scheme has been established to cater to the needs of Indian individuals.

To further enhance collaboration, a new Center for Australia-India Relations will be headquartered in Parramatta, Greater Western Sydney. This center will serve as a national platform, bringing together the government, industry, academia, and the community to facilitate cooperation and deepen ties between the two countries.

…as part of the partnership, plans were unveiled for the establishment of an Australian Consulate-General in Bengaluru and an Indian Consulate-General in Brisbane, aiming to facilitate closer diplomatic ties and enhance cooperation in various areas…

The meeting between Albanese and Modi marked their sixth encounter within Albanese's first year as Australia's leader. The discussions built upon the outcomes of the Australia-India Annual Leaders' Summit held in March, strengthening the close relationship between the two nations. Albanese emphasized the importance of investing in the alliance, which is expected to yield benefits in trade, investment, business, regional security, and stability.

Trade, investment, and business relationships were among the key topics discussed during the bilateral talks. Both leaders explored opportunities for collaboration in the field of green energy, recognizing the significance of sustainable development and environmental initiatives.

As part of the partnership, plans were unveiled for the establishment of an Australian Consulate-General in Bengaluru and an Indian Consulate-General in Brisbane, aiming to facilitate closer diplomatic ties and enhance cooperation in various areas.

Local media reports indicate that the mobility agreement will allow Indians under the age of 30 with key skills and proficient English language abilities to obtain two-year working visas without the need for a confirmed job or further study arrangements. Initially, the program will have a cap of 3,000 individuals per year, according to The Australian.

Australia has long been grappling with skill shortages, making this mobility arrangement a valuable solution. The Australia-India Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement, which came into effect at the end of the previous year, had already opened up approximately 1,000 places in the Work and Holiday Program for young Indian travelers, further promoting cultural and economic exchange between the two countries.

Universities in Australia have expressed their full support for the government's focus on strengthening ties with India. They believe that increased student and researcher mobility will maximize the economic potential of the Australia-India relationship. The universities also highlighted India's ambitious goal of educating 500 million students by 2035, presenting a significant opportunity for Australian universities to play a crucial role in achieving this objective.

In 2019, Indian students contributed $6.1 billion to Australia's economy, representing a substantial portion of the $40 billion generated by international education, as reported by Universities Australia. The universities welcomed the opportunity to build on the existing influx of Indian students, recognizing the mutual benefits that arise from such collaborations.

The meeting between Modi and Australian stakeholders, including representatives from universities and Navitas CEO Scott Jones, provided an opportunity to discuss the implications and potential outcomes of the mobility deal. The stakeholders highlighted the importance of strengthening people-to-people links between Australia and India, with education serving as a crucial pillar of the bilateral relationship.

The mobility agreement is seen as a significant step in deepening the Australia-India relationship and addressing skill shortages in Australia. By fostering educational and professional exchanges, the partnership aims to create mutually beneficial outcomes while furthering cooperation in various fields of common interest. The ongoing commitment demonstrated by both governments reflects their shared vision of a strong and prosperous bilateral alliance.

Modi and Albanese had previously met during the 2023 Quad Leaders' Summit in Hiroshima, where they joined leaders from Japan and the United States. At the summit, the announcement of the Quad STEM Fellows initiative was made, with the first cohort of 100 fellows set to begin their studies in the United States in August 2023. This initiative reflects the commitment of the Quad nations to promote scientific and technological collaboration among their respective youth.

Posted in News and tagged News, Australia, India, Mobility Deal, Narendra Modi, Anthony Albanese
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